Bournemouth v Newcastle: Defences aren't to be trusted in south coast showdown

26 February 2018, 09:22 | Donald Newman

Benitez rues missed chances as Newcastle lose two-goal lead

We all know Benitez as a manager that prefers to keep his players, supporters and the opposition second-guessing his lineups, one that would be unperturbed about altering a team that defeated the current second best club in the Premier League.

Bournemouth have now picked up 13 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season - a joint-high along with Everton. "He had an injury when he came, a set back in training and we will have to deal with that".

"He will not be available and will be (out for) at least a couple of weeks".

He told Match of the Day (24/04, 22:30): "For as good as his passing was, his defensive side of his game in the latter stages didn't live up to it".

Islam Slimani could have just seven games in which to make an impression at Newcastle after suffering an injury setback as he fought to prove his fitness.

Bournemouthmanager Eddie Howe praised his players' resolve and felt it was vital they did not lose to another relegation rival, having been beaten 4-1 at Huddersfield last time out. They had to come from behind in their wins over Arsenal and Stoke, and they grabbed a late victor against Everton.

Jonjo Shelvey played a brilliant ball down the right for Matt Ritchie, whose low cross eventually fell to Gayle as he won a challenge with Begovic before nonchalantly backheeling the ball into the empty net. "In two out of those three games, we've come back and got something but the challenge I'm going to lay down to the players is to start better obviously and try and go the other way".

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